A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Two Flares with One Shock: The Interesting Case of 3C 454.3
Authors: Liodakis I, Blinov D, Jorstad SG, Arkharov AA, Di Paola A, Efimova NV, Grishina TS, Kiehlmann S, Kopatskaya EN, Larionov VM, Larionova LV, Larionova EG, Marscher AP, Morozova DA, Nikiforova AA, Pavlidou V, Traianou E, Troitskaya YV, Troitsky IS, Uemura M, Weaver ZR
Publisher: IOP PUBLISHING LTD
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Astrophysical Journal
Journal name in source: ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
Journal acronym: ASTROPHYS J
Article number: ARTN 61
Volume: 902
Issue: 1
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 0004-637X
eISSN: 1538-4357
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abb1b8
Abstract
The quasar 3C 454.3 is a blazar known for its rapid and violent outbursts seen across the electromagnetic spectrum. Using gamma-ray, X-ray, multiband optical, and very-long-baseline interferometric data we investigate the nature of two such events that occurred in 2013 and 2014 accompanied by strong variations in optical polarization, including a similar to 230 degrees electric vector position angle (EVPA) rotation. Our results suggest that a single disturbance was responsible for both flaring events. We interpret the disturbance as a shock propagating down the jet. Under this interpretation the 2013 flare originated most likely due to changes in the viewing angle caused by perhaps a bent or helical trajectory of the shock upstream of the radio core. The 2014 flare and optical polarization behavior are the result of the shock exiting the 43 GHz radio core, suggesting that shock crossings are one of the possible mechanisms for EVPA rotations.
The quasar 3C 454.3 is a blazar known for its rapid and violent outbursts seen across the electromagnetic spectrum. Using gamma-ray, X-ray, multiband optical, and very-long-baseline interferometric data we investigate the nature of two such events that occurred in 2013 and 2014 accompanied by strong variations in optical polarization, including a similar to 230 degrees electric vector position angle (EVPA) rotation. Our results suggest that a single disturbance was responsible for both flaring events. We interpret the disturbance as a shock propagating down the jet. Under this interpretation the 2013 flare originated most likely due to changes in the viewing angle caused by perhaps a bent or helical trajectory of the shock upstream of the radio core. The 2014 flare and optical polarization behavior are the result of the shock exiting the 43 GHz radio core, suggesting that shock crossings are one of the possible mechanisms for EVPA rotations.
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